The Running Man, the Stephen King classic dystopian novel, will be getting a remake by Edgar Wright soon, and star Glen Powell just offered an exciting update. Wright’s project follows a lifelong mission to do a whole new adaptation of King’s book, and since he came on board to helm the remake, Wright has been clear about what he wants to do: not a remake of 1987’s Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, but a new take of the material.
In an interview with IndieWire, Powell has now confirmed The Running Man is happening and begins shooting next fall. He also intends to finish his college degree at the University of Texas at the same time:
“I’m not going to be sitting in a class with other students on the regular. I’m basically going to be coming back because I have to finish up, but I’m going to be shooting
The Running Man
in the fall. So I’m going to be in London, but I am going to be going back for proctored exams…Edgar has been very nice about letting me finish my degree in the middle of his massive movie.”
The Running Man takes place in a not-so-distant future, where Ben Richards is a pretty desperate man in need of money. He needs to take care of his sick daughter, and in this version of dystopian America, desperation leads men to take televised risks. That includes participating in a reality show, but one unlike anything on TV today. The reality show is called “The Running Man,” and Richards volunteers to participate. Now, if he can stay alive for 30 days, he will win $1 billion. But that means surviving the gang of professional assassins hunting him…
The Twisters actor also provides some details about his longtime wish to work with Wright and his excitement now that he will finally get to do it:
“We’ve been going back and forth on script stuff, and it’s so fun. The world that Edgar’s developed on this thing is just outrageous. It’s so good. And really, we’re just both such big fans of the Stephen King book, and it’s going to be a great character. I’m so fired up about it…I had a wish list of directors that I wanted to work with in 2008 when I moved out to LA that I sent my agent at the time—and Edgar Wright is literally number one. I’m such an Edgar Wright man. And so, the fact that I get to work with him right now is just so damn cool.”
Glen Powell Is Now One of Hollywood’s Biggest Names & the Right Actor for Edgar Wright’s Remake
Glen Powell is currently one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Ever since appearing alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell has been in the spotlight as the classic American actor with leading man looks and silver screen charisma. He followed the Top Gun legacy sequel with roles in Richard Linklater’s The Hit Man and the romantic comedy Anyone But You, and his career has now entered the stratosphere.
Most recently, he starred in Twisters, the 2024 reimagining/spin-off of the 1997 natural disaster film Twister. Powell stars opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones in the movie, which tells the story of storm chasers who each have their own agenda when a set of massive tornadoes lands in the middle of Oklahoma. The film has already had a good box office result, and critics seem to be having fun with it, as it has a current score of 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.
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As for The Running Man remake, Wright and Powell have already said this version won’t resemble the 1987 action thriller. Instead, it will follow the tone of the original novel and keep the horror element active. Schwarzenegger’s film wasn’t exactly a hit at the time, and though it has garnered a cult status, it doesn’t feel like a Stephen King film. Here’s hoping Powell and Wright will be able to change that.
Glen Powell can currently be seen in
Twisters
, which is out now in theaters, while
Hit Man
is available to stream on Netflix.